Palm Beach County woman reported missing found in Keys

An 89-year-old Boca Raton woman reported missing on Sunday was stopped on U.S. 1 early Monday morning by Deputies.

Loretta Blanche Santos was not seriously injured after Deputies were forced to use spike strips to stop her small white sedan at approximately 5:50 a.m. at Mile Marker 87.

Santos was taken to Mariners Hospital where she stayed until family members arrived.

The incident began when other drivers reported a reckless driver at Mile Marker 61 in a small white sedan. The vehicle was weaving into on-coming traffic and nearly hit a guard rail. The sedan had its hazard lights on. Deputy Christopher Kilmurray spotted the sedan, 2009 Ford Focus, driving northbound at Mile Marker 77. He turned on his lights and siren, but the car did not stop. Deputy Kilmurray reported the license plate number and 911 Communications Specialists relayed that the vehicle was registered to an elderly woman recently reported missing from Boca Raton.

Sgt. Nick Whiteman also began following the sedan. Deputy Nelson Sanchez eventually deployed the spike strips in order to safely stop the car. The car drove into the southbound lane before stopping on the southbound shoulder.

Deputy Kilmurray asked the driver, identified as Santos, if she was OK or injured. Santos stated she was fine and just driving home. She stated she must have run something over and that’s why she stopped. Santos advised she believed she was in Palm Beach County.

Deputies called Boca Raton Police to advise Santos was found and that she was safe.

Santos’ family members were notified.

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